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Trae Waynes | Cornerback

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Rotoworld's Evan Silva graded the Vikings' draft as an "A-" effort.

"[Trae] Waynes and [Eric] Kendricks hit major needs and project as Opening Day starters," he wrote. "[Danielle] Hunter is a high-ceiling developmental pick. [T.J.] Clemmings has an outside chance to supplant struggling LT Matt Kalil in time, assuming his foot checks out." Silva also liked Day 3 lottery tickets Southern Illinois TE MyCole Pruitt, Maryland WR Stefon Diggs and Oklahoma OT Tyrus Thompson. ESPN's Mel Kiper gave the Vikings a "B." "The Vikes hit needs pretty well, and if Waynes cleans up aspects of his game, they might have really helped the defense with him and Kendricks," he wrote. "Good draft, but Waynes still has some 'we'll see' aspects." Sun, May 3, 2015 11:08:00 PM

Defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer has his bookend for Xavier Rhodes. Waynes (6'0/186) made 27 starts at MSU, amassing 13 pass breakups, six interceptions and four tackles for loss. He allowed just one touchdown pass in 2014, and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten pick. Wayne confirmed his explosive athleticism at the Combine, blazing 4.31 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. Wayne has some stiffness in the hips and committed too many penalties in college, but he excels in press-man coverage and is a sure tackler. Waynes may lack elite No. 1 corner upside, but is the draft's most NFL-ready cornerback. Thu, Apr 30, 2015 09:21:00 PM

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "is not really big" and "is not a great tackler," according to ESPN NFL Insider Jon Gruden.

"When they throw a bubble screen and a man tries to block you, you have to be able to grab that receiver around the sternum with another hand on his biceps," Gruden said. "You have to be able to get rid of that block and make that tackle. When I watch some of the long runs against Michigan State, you know whose fault it is a lot of the time? It is the corners' fault." Gruden has levied the exact same criticism at several other DBs in this class, including fellow presumed Round 1 pick CB Kevin Johnson. "Waynes should use that 4.3 speed because he has it," Gruden said. "I want to see it on the running plays. I want to see it on every play. Because we are talking about a first-round draft choice. I'm looking for a man who can do it all." Waynes has also been criticized for not being a fluid mover. Thu, Apr 30, 2015 07:05:00 PM

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes is "the best [CB] by a long shot" and "everything you want in a corner," an anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"The only concern is he's a little slight," another scout said. "He's 6-0 and moves like he's 5-9. He's got the slender hips and thighs. So the same thing you knock him on is really the reason he moves as well as he does." This is the reason Pro Football Focus doesn't like him: Waynes' 20-yard shuttle (4.39 seconds) was slower than his 40 time (4.31) and that "poor change-of-direction ability was evident on tape." For that reason, a third scout said the scheme Waynes lands in is crucial: "He's always going to struggle in off (coverage) because he doesn't have good enough weight transition. You just press him and run." Thu, Apr 30, 2015 05:47:00 PM

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Defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer has his bookend for Xavier Rhodes. Waynes (6'0/186) made 27 starts at MSU, amassing 13 pass breakups, six interceptions and four tackles for loss. He allowed just one touchdown pass in 2014, and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten pick. Wayne confirmed his explosive athleticism at the Combine, blazing 4.31 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. Wayne has some stiffness in the hips and committed too many penalties in college, but he excels in press-man coverage and is a sure tackler. Waynes may lack elite No. 1 corner upside, but is the draft's most NFL-ready cornerback.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "is not really big" and "is not a great tackler," according to ESPN NFL Insider Jon Gruden.

"When they throw a bubble screen and a man tries to block you, you have to be able to grab that receiver around the sternum with another hand on his biceps," Gruden said. "You have to be able to get rid of that block and make that tackle. When I watch some of the long runs against Michigan State, you know whose fault it is a lot of the time? It is the corners' fault." Gruden has levied the exact same criticism at several other DBs in this class, including fellow presumed Round 1 pick CB Kevin Johnson. "Waynes should use that 4.3 speed because he has it," Gruden said. "I want to see it on the running plays. I want to see it on every play. Because we are talking about a first-round draft choice. I'm looking for a man who can do it all." Waynes has also been criticized for not being a fluid mover.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes is "the best [CB] by a long shot" and "everything you want in a corner," an anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"The only concern is he's a little slight," another scout said. "He's 6-0 and moves like he's 5-9. He's got the slender hips and thighs. So the same thing you knock him on is really the reason he moves as well as he does." This is the reason Pro Football Focus doesn't like him: Waynes' 20-yard shuttle (4.39 seconds) was slower than his 40 time (4.31) and that "poor change-of-direction ability was evident on tape." For that reason, a third scout said the scheme Waynes lands in is crucial: "He's always going to struggle in off (coverage) because he doesn't have good enough weight transition. You just press him and run."

Pro Football Focus is concerned that Michigan State CB Trae Waynes' 20-yard shuttle (4.39 seconds) was slower than his 40 time (4.31).

That occurrence is such an anomaly that the group couldn't recall seeing it before. "That poor change-of-direction ability was evident on tape, and is a problem at a position where change of direction is vital," wrote Mike Renner. PFF is also troubled that a corner with such great recovery speed (thus not having to worry about getting burned deep) was so average on intermediate routes, only breaking up three passes on 59 targets. Waynes' yards per coverage snap allowed was average (1.04) and he struggled against Oregon, allowing 113 yards and a score on seven targets.

"He's almost as high in the air as he jumped," the scout said. "He looks like he's flying. He's big, got pretty good feet and can run. He's quick, and a good kid." Waynes had six interceptions and 13 passes defensed in college. "A little bit slight for the position," another scout said. "He reminds me of Tracy Porter the way he plays. Man, he's got good speed, some length and he can cover." Pro Football Focus senior analyst Steve Palazzolo recently criticized Waynes' change-of-direction skills.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "would provide some youth to a proud defense starting to show its age," according to CBS Sports' Rob Rang.

"The 6-0, 186-pound Waynes has the length, physicality and agility necessary for competing in the rough and tumble NFC West and would provide some youth to a proud defense starting to show its age," Rang wrote. The 49ers lost two starting cornerbacks, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox to free agency, and signed veteran CB Shareece Wright in the off season. With Tramaine Brock coming back from injury, the Michigan prospect could challenge to start right away. Waynes should be off the board in the top half of the first round.

College Football Focus charting agrees with the opinion. Palazzolo pointed out that Waynes' 40-yard time was faster than his 20-yard shuttle. "It was interesting to see the numbers back up what we saw on tape," he said. Waynes surrendered 14.9 yards per completion last year, per CFF charting, and posted three interceptions and three passes defensed, not stellar showings. "His coverage grade was average," wrote Mike Sando.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes has a visit lined up with the St. Louis Rams for Tuesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports.

While the Rams have Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson holding down the fort at the CB position, they're both scheduled to become free agents after the season. If the Rams are willing to let one of them walk next season, the 6-foot, 186 pound Waynes has the ideal frame, athleticism, and physicality that defensive coordinator Greg Williams would be happy with. Waynes has a great shot to be a top-15 pick in this year's draft.

"Not sure if the Rams stay here, and if they do, they could certainly go with a wide receiver like DeVante Parker," he wrote. "And yes they've already taken corners pretty high in recent years. But three of them are on the field most of the time in this day and age." Of course, the aggressive Rams could also simply wait to see who drops to them and then auction the pick to the highest bidder. "This could be a spot for someone moving up for whichever of the top three edge rushers are still on the board (I don't have Vic Beasley accounted for just yet in this exercise, for example), but I'm thinking the best corner in the draft in a pass happy age ends up in the top 10," La Canfora wrote.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes compares to Johnathan Joseph in the estimation of ESPN's Kevin Weidl.

Based on numbers, John Parolin of the Stats & Information Group likens Waynes to Desmond Trufant, Dee Milliner and Joseph. "I like the Joseph comparison," Weidl wrote. "Joseph was a little raw but possessed more natural athleticism and change-of-direction skills coming out of South Carolina. While Waynes is a notch below Joseph in terms of fluidity, he is more seasoned with his technique coming out of school. Both are effective press corners with the instincts and quickness to hold up in zone coverage as well." Waynes' measurables are very close to Trufant's.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "is lean but can press, and he has length but can also mirror routes and stay with the fastest receivers down the field," observed ESPN's Mel Kiper.

The venerable analyst sees Waynes as a top-20 pick as well as perhaps the safest corner on the board. "Sure, he grabs too much and will have to trust himself and his positioning a little more, but given his now-proven recovery speed (he can run low-4.3s) to go with the tape, you have to feel as comfortable with Waynes as any other corner in this draft given how difficult a transition it can be at that position," Kiper wrote. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound Waynes ran the fastest combine 40-yard dash amongst DBs at 4.31 seconds.

Michigan State CB Trae Waynes has worked out with the Patriots(group work out) and the Panthers (private workout), and has April visits with the Vikings, Bears, and the Jaguars, according to Detroit Free Press' Mark Snyder.

The Michigan prospect had an outstanding performance at the combine running the fastest 40 time amongst defensive backs (4.31),and followed up with a solid pro day. Waynes improved on his 4.39 combine 20-yard shuttle time, posting 4.19 time, and posted a 11.24 in the 60-yard shuttle. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound Wayne could be a top-15 selection in this year's draft. Interested teams in the back end of the first round, should be prepared to move up for his services.

Waynes, of course, ranks as the analyst's No. 1 CB. "He's a bump-and-run cornerback with the length, deep speed and confidence to handle himself down the field against speed," Zierlein wrote. "Waynes plays too handsy for NFL officials and that could show up on Sundays. His 4.31 40, smooth hips and overall fluidity displayed at the combine could make him a much earlier pick in the draft than previously projected." Zierlein compares Waynes to Antonio Cromartie. An NFC director of personnel told the scribe: "I didn't think anyone had a better combine than (Trae Waynes). He was faster than I thought and looked great in the drills. He's the top corner and I don't think it's close."

NFLDraftScout.com's Frank Cooney believes Michigan State CB Trae Waynes "should be an asset against the NFL's tall and talented receivers."

"His instincts and length make him the boss in most one-on-one situations. Waynes looks comfortable and menacing in press and cover-two assignments and should be an asset against the NFL's tall and talented receivers, although he is a bit lanky himself," Cooney wrote. The 6-foot-1, 183-pound Wayne has great size and length for the position and isn't afraid to be left alone on an island. The Michigan State prospect knows how to use his body to gain leverage against vertical threat receivers. Waynes has natural ball skills and has great instincts, and should be the first CB off the board in this year's draft.